Container flap folding apparatus



March 21, 1950 s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1945 March 21, 1950 s. H. BERCH 2,500,922

CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS Filed'Nov. 28, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. 519M051. hf BEECH March 21, 1950- s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Shets-Sheet :5

Filed Nov. 28, 1945 INVENTOR. jfiMUE'L h. BEECH BY mu. /4 1 I" March 21, 1950 s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 28, 1945 IN V EN TOR. 519M051. H 5520/ %M 4 ll" March 21, 1950 s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1945 M 2mm 05 4 kmw nmw mmw March 21, 1950 s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed NOV. 28, 1945 INVENTOR. 50M 1/51. H. 51sec March 21, 1950 s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 28, 1945 l {qM uvvzzvron Sana/4 h. 51sec 244 March 21, 1950 s. H. BVERCH I 2,500,922

CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 28, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. JHMUEL H. [Dis-ear.

March 21, 1.950 s. H. BERCH CONTAINER FLAP FOLDING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Nov. 28, 1945 INVENTOR. JAMuAz 515604 Patented Mar. 21 1950 UNHTED STATES GFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to packaging devices, and particularlypertains to a packaging machine for ice creamand the like.

The present invention is applicable for use in packaging various products which are in a semifluid condition when packaged, but the invention has particular value in the packaging of ice cream to be dispensed in restaurants, catering establishments, soda fountains, and at retail. In dispensing ice cream it has been found that :the sale of ice cream in bulk is unsatisfactory for the reason that the ice cream does not maintain a desired consistency and in addition will shrink. It is also common knowledge that the uniform scooping of ice cream from a bulk. supply depends upon the skill and care of the dispenser. An additional disadvantage in dispensingfrom bulk is that water may be carried into the container with the scoop so that ice particles are formed, which render the ice cream unsaleable, and sanitary conditions attendant to the useof a scoop in a bulk container are not desirable. Due to these conditions the merchandiser of ice-cream can never be certain of making a fixed profit since the profit may vary. This tends to promote a practice on the part of the merchandiser to skimp in the servings of ice: cream or to substitute cheaper grades ofice cream'from those which the character of his trade expects. From the merchandising standpoint there-is also-the objection that advertising doesnot create a sufficient demand for a particular advertised brand, since in sales from bulk, at least, the retail purchaser cannot identify the product from. its'appearance. It is therefore desirable vto provide a means for packaging ice creamiwh'ich will utilize a simple and inexpensive packagesuch as disclosed in my co-pending. application entitled Carton for ice cream and the like,'fi1ed-October 31, 1944, and bearing Serial No. 561,235, which has matured into Patent Number 2 443530, June 15, 1948, and by which merchandise may be identified and sold at a fixed profit without reference to the loss by shrinkage, contamination or unsanitary conditions. In order to accomplish these results and to meet competition of bulk ice cream manufacturers it is necessary to provide automatic means by which carton blanks may be folded, filled and closed, and it is the principal object of the present invention to-provide a machine for packaging ice cream and the like involving the use of carton blanks as disclosed in the aforesaid applicationandin which machine blanks are consecutively withdrawn from a magazine, carried to forming'means; and

2 then consecutively to filling and closing stations, whereby the packaging may be accomplished .rap-

idly and in a-sanitary fully automatic operation.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a magazine for carton blanks, means --for-withdrawing the blanks fromthe magazine and thereafter placing them in a mold while passing the blank'through a folding die by which it will be folded and shaped to conform to the .mold, then moving the molds -withwtheir folded blanks to adispensingunit to which ice cream is delivered.fromwbulk. and from which. it is discharged into the container in accurately measured quantities? and after which'the container is closed, all of said operations taking place along the length'of travel of an endless conveyonmechanism.

The invention: is illustrated by way of example .in. the accompanying :drawings in which:

Figure 1 is aview in plan showing the complete machine as designed to form, fill and discharge four containers in one unit of -.o-peration.

Fig. 2 is aview-inivertical section and elevation as-seen'on the line 2-'-2 OfFlg. 1 andshows the driving mechanism for :the structure.

Fig. 3ris a view'in horizontal section-and elevation asseenon-theli-ne 3 3 of Fig. 2v and z 'shows other details oft-he. driving mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a view in transverse section through the: machine as seenonthe line l'& of Fig. 2

and illustrates the carton blank i feedingv mechanism and the means for en aging: said blank,

*folding the-same, and placing it within a-mold.

' Fig. 5 is a viewin transverse section through the machine as seen on the line 5-5of Fig. 1

-.and shows-the ice cream measuring and-distion as seen on the line 1-7 of Fig. 1 and shows the closing device in its open position.

Fig. 8 is a view-in Vertical section and elevation as seen on-the line-B-Sof Fig. 1 and shows the package discharge mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a view in vertical section and elevation as seenon the line 99- of Fig. 2 and shows the operating mechanism associated with the forming plunger.

Fig. 10 is a view in vertical section and elevation'as seen on the 1ine'l0loof Fig. 1. and

shows-=the feed mechanism for withdrawing a carton blank from the bottom of the magazine and carrying it forwardly to the folding station.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view in horizontal section and elevation as seen on the line lll| of Fig. 4 and shows the forming plunger and the folding die therebeneath.

Fig. 12 is a view in transverse vertical section through the folding die as seen on the line |2-|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view in transverse section as seen on the line |3l3 of Fig. 11 and at right angles to Fig; 12 showing other details of the folding die.

Fig. 14 is a view in plan showing the blank from which the carton is formed.

Fig. 15 is a view in vertical section through the folding die showing the same details as in Fig. 12 but with the carton blank in position preparatory to forming.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the forming plunger partly moved through the folding die and indicating the folding operation of the carton.

Fig. 17 is a view in vertical section as seen on the line of Fig. 16 and indicates the manner in which the opposite sides of the carton from those shown in Fig. 16 are folded.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but indicates the carton in the final stages of folding.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged view in vertical section and elevation as seen on the line |9|9 of Fig. 1 and shows the relative position of the folding die, the carton mold, and a folded carton which passes through the folding die and into the mold.

Fi 20 is a view showing the structure of Fig. 19 and indicates the carton within the mold with the forming plunger partially retracted.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged view in horizontal section and elevation as seen on the line 2|-2| of Fig. 20 and shows the carton within the mold preparatory to filling and with the edge gripping members in place.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged view in horizontal section and elevation showing one of the folded edges of the carton within the mold and indicating the manner in which the carton is folded.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged view in vertical section and elevation as seen on the line 2323 of Fig. 19 and shows the construction and operation of the carton gripping fingers.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged view in vertical section F and elevation showing the closing mechanism indicated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 25 is a view showing the structure disclosed in Fig. 24. and indicates the position when the inner top flap is folded.

Fig. 26 is a view showing the closing device with the top cover partially closed.

Fig. 27 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 26 with the carton completely closed.

Fig. 28 is a view showing the completed carton.

Referring particularly to Fig. 14 of the drawings, a carton blank is shown with which the present invention is particularly concerned although it is to be understood that the mechanism involving the present invention may be adapted for use with blanks of other designs. The carton blank, here indicated at I0, is designed to form a cube-shaped container, the details of which are specifically set forth in my co-pending application entitled Carton for ice cream and the like, Serial No. 561,235, filed October 31, 1944. Generally considered, the present invention is concerned with a machine equipped with magazines to receive a quantity of the blanks Ill, to thereafter fold and form said blanks, and to then carry the folded cartons to means by which measured quantities of ice cream may be discharged into the cartons in register therewith and after which the carton may be completely closed and its parts interlocked to hold the contents of the carton in a closed and sealed condition. It is understood that while the invention is described as being used with ice cream that other products might be used if desired, and it is to be further pointed out that the means for measuring and filling the cartons may be employed with other machinery and with other products than those here shown.

In the drawings, N indicates a base structure. This structure is defined by a housing having opposite end walls I2 and I3, opposite side walls M and I5, a floor l6, and a top H. For convenience, the top is substantially at table height. Disposed above the top is a plurality of carton blank magazine units l8, adjacent to which are carton folding and forming units Hi. There are also mounted above the top IT a plurality of product measuring and dispensing units 20 and a plurality of carton closing units 2|. The carton magazine units l8 and the carton closing units 2| are disposed in the path of travel of a conveyor chain 22 and alon the straight run 22 thereof. The folding and forming units l9 and the measuring and dispensing units 26 are disposed along the other parallel straight run of the conveyor chain 22, as indicated at 22*. The conveyor chain 22 is led around sprocket wheels 23 and 24 adjacent to the opposite ends of the base structure U. These sprockets lie in a horizontal plane parallel to the top H of the base. The sprocket 23 is an idler sprocket mounted upon a vertical shaft 25. The sprocket 24 is a driven sprocket mounted upon a vertical drive shaft 26. The shaft 26 is supported in bearings 21 and 28 and is driven intermittently through a mechanism to be hereinafter described.

A power unit for driving the shaft 26 and the other parts of the machine comprises an electric motor 29 mounted within the base structur upon a platform 30. The motor shaft 3| carries pulleys 32 and 33. The pulley 32 receives a belt 34 which is led around a pulley 35 of a compressor 36. The pulley 33 receives a belt 31 which leads around a pulley 38 mounted upon a horizontally disposed jack shaft 39. This shaft is mounted in bearings 40 resting upon the floor It of the base structure at approximately the center thereof. The jack shaft also carries a pulley 4| receiving a belt 42. The belt 42 leads around a pulley 43 mounted upon a jack shaft 44. The

jack shaft 44 is suitably supported in bearings 45 carried by a gear box 46. The gear box 46 is also fitted with bearings 41 through which a vertical shaft 48 extends and by which it is rotatably supported. Mounted upon the shaft 48 is a worm wheel 49 in mesh with a worm ear 50 which is carried upon the jack shaft 44. The vertical shaft 48 is rotatably supported at its opposite ends by bearings carried by the floor and top sections of the base. Mounted upon the shaft 48 at a point beneath the gear box 46 is a disc 5| carrying a pin 5|. The pin 51' is adapted to engage the slots of a Geneva cam 52 which is mounted upon a cam shaft 53. The shaft 53 also carries a relatively large driving gear 23| which is in mesh with a gear 230 mounted upon a vertical shaft 230'. The shaft 230' is mounted in a bearing secured to the fioor I6. A vertical shaft 56 is rotatably mounted in a bearing carried by the bottom wall I6 of the housing. A

encounter the shoulder 62; A's'prin' dB-urgesthe pawl 54 inwardly so-that it will bear against the periphery of: the disc 6|. A notch td'is formed in the circumferential edge of the disc 63 and is engaged by a pin El. The pin 6'! is carried at one freeend of a bell cra'nkfifl. This bell crank is pivoted upon a vertical pivot shaft t9 carried in a suitable bearing on the floor of the base. The other arm: of the bell crank 68 extends horizontally and terminates in an arouate portion 7E1 whichoccursbeneath the gear 55. The radius of thisarc is struck'from the center of the shaft 56 and when the gear 55 rotates in a clockwise directiona pin 'll' thereon will engage the arcuate portion ll! of the bell crank 68 and withdraw the lock pin 61 from the groove 65 in the edge of the disc 63. A spring 72 is fastened to the bell crank and tends to urge the pin 67 againstthe periphery of the disc 53. A shackle structure13 embraces the rack 58 and is pivoted upon the shaft 26 so that as the rack reciprocates and oscillates it will be maintained in constant mesh with the pinion 60. By this arrangement the conveyor chain 22 will be driven a predetermined distance at each driving impulse and will be locked against movement in the pause therebetween.

Extending upwardly from thechain 22 at equal spaced intervals along the length thereof are screws '54. These screws receive individual molds or pockets 15 within which cartons made from the blanks are to'be placed and filled. The members are substantially U-shaped and have a bottom wall 76 and parallel vertical walls 17. The vertical walls extend in planes normal to the longitudinal center of the sprocket chain 22. The sides of the molds '15 are open;

The first operation of the machine is to withdraw carton blanks from the magazine units i8 and to fold and shape these blanks in the units 59. It will be seen from an examination of Fig. I that this particular machin has been designed to form and fill four cartons simultaneously while the machine operates intermittently to successively prepare and fill groups of four cartons. Thus, when one of the complete units is described it is to be understood that the reference numerals apply equally to all of the units of the same kind. The magazine units, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawing, comprise a frame 78 which is supported in a horizontal plane above the top H of the base structure by uprights 19. Extending upwardly from the uprights are pockets 86 which form a magazine into which the blanks it are positioned. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the central rectangular portion of the blank is disposed between the pockets 80, that an inner sealing'flap 89 thereof projects horizontally and toward the folding units, and that an outer cover flap 82 projects in the opposite direction. The blanks are temporarily held so that they will be consecutively drawn from the bottom of the magazine and container. Intermediate'the'panels I2I and l22 transf erred horizontally to the folding-and 'forni ing units l9. As showii inFigl lo this ls' accom' plished by a suction cup-83whichis carried upon an oscillating a tubular arm st- The arm is mounted upon a horizontal shaft"- 85 and will rock therewith. A passageway .withinthe arm communicates with the cup and also communicates with a suction pipe'flfil The suction pipe 86 leads to a distributing pipe 81 which extendsdownwardly to connect:to asuction um 88. By reference to Fig; 9 of the" drawing it will beseen that the suction p'ump isp'rovide'd with a" plunger 89 secured to aplungei' rod 90. The-rod 90 extends vertically' and carries a roller 9| at its upper end. The ro1ler 9:l is engaged byfthe periphery of a cam 82 mounted-upona-horizontal power shaft 93i The power shaft 93-is rotatably supported in'bearings 94"and 95.' This shaft also carries acam ilt-"- which engages a cam roller 91. The'cam roller issupported upon a cam arm 98; This arm is rigidlysecured-to a vertically movin'g lift' rod 952" of this lift rod ispivotally'conn'ecte'd to a lever arm Hill by a pin ml.- The arm I00 is fixed to the shaft 85. This sha'ft carries the-set of tubular arms 34 previously described, a'ndwhen the lift rod 99 moves upwardly, as indicated' by the arrow, the tubular'membertl l' withth'e' vacuum cup 83 will swing downwardly. Mounted upon the shaft 85 for 'fr'ee'rotation'aresprockets I62. Two of these sprocketsareprovided-foreach of the magazine units'and are spaced-' from each other asshown in-Fig. 1 to receive feed chains Hi3. These feed chains are led'around'sprockets H3 2- mounted upon a shaft 'lfl5. The shaft extends through the frame structure 18 andis rotatably supported thereby. The 'feed'chains I03 are disposed beneath the m'agazinestacks and receive the carton" blank I!) tomove'it'hori Zontally and to position it properly'with relation to a foldingdie I 65. By reference to Fig. 4 of the drawing it will' be seen that a horizontal floor It! extends over'the-upper run ofthe chains I03 andacross and above the'folding*die. The'details of the folding die'will 'be'described'herein after. In Fig. 4, howe'veryit will be" seen that'a plunger W8 is mounted upon an arm I08 and is carried by a-lift rod- I09; This rod'reciprocates vertically. Thelower ends 'of 'the-liftrods I09 are secured within a lift bar-"I092 Shackles H2 are connected with the liftbar 109" by a pivot H3. Theupper'ends 'of'theshackles H2 are provided with pivotpins [I l-which connect the shackles with the free end of an oscillating arm H5. This arm extends horizontallyacross and within the base structure and'is pivotally mounted upon a pivot shaft H6. The arm carries a cam roller H? which rests continuously upon the edge face of'a' cam H8. This cam is fixed upon the shaft-93 and' is thus driven in synchronism withother cams which are mounted upon the timing shaft 93;

In order to describe the foldingaction by which the blank Ill is folded to form the carton to be filled the construction of'the' blank shouldbe described. By reference toFig: 14' it will be'seen that the blank is scored'so that it ha's'a center field iZEJ. This field'provides the bottom of the carton. At the oppositesides of the scored field are side panels IEI; 122-, I23and I2 1. In the final blank these panels are folded'atright angles to the field I20 to provide solid'side'walls for a is a gusset panel comprisingtriangularportions 1 I25 and H5 The field includingthese portions The upper endis of the same size as the side panels. Intermediate the side panels I22 and I23 is a gusset panel comprising triangular portions I26 and I26 1856 are here shown as agreeing in size with the side panels. Intermediate the panels I23 and I24 is a gusset field comprising portions I2I and I2'I and intermediate the side panels I2I and I24 is a gusset panel comprising portions I28 and I28. The panel portions I21 and I28 are substantially the same size as the triangular portions I25 and I26 The panels I2l and I28 are cut away along their outer edges to provide clearance, as will be hereinafter explained. The panel I24 has an inner cover panel I29 hinged at its outer edge. This panel agrees substantially in dimension with the panel I28 and has a flap I29 at its free end which is folded to provide means by which the panel I23 may be pulled from over the top of the contents of the container. At the outer edge of the panel I22 is a field I30 which agrees in dimensions with the field I29 and provides the top cover for the container. At opposite sides of this field are sealing flaps I3I and I32. These are substantially triangular although they have outer curved ends I33 and I34 which terminate in look tangs I35 and I36. When the container is closed the lock tangs are inserted into lock slots I31 and I38 which lie on the diagonal lines dividing the gusset portions I2! and IZI and I28 and I28, as indicated in Fig. 28 of the drawing. The folding and forming units I9 act to fold the blank I I] so that the side panels I2I, I22, I23 and I24 are disposed at right angles to the bottom panel I28 and at right angles to each other. This will cause the gusset panels to occur at the contiguous edges of the side panels and it is desired to fold the triangular portions of the gussets along their diagonal score lines and on the outsides of the side panels I2I and l23. It is also intended to fold the gusset panels so that the triangular gusset portions I28 and I25 lie directly against the panels I2I and I23, respectively, with the gusset portions I2I and I28 overlapping and lying against the gusset portions I25 and I26". This will provide an outside pocket between the panel portions I28 and I28 On one side of the container and between the panel portions I2I and I2! upon the opposite side of the container. Due to the fact that the outer edges of the portions I2'I and I28 are shorter, as indicated at I39 in Fig. 28, it will be possible to easily insert the flaps I3I and I32 into the pockets and to introduce the locking tangs I31 and I38.

The folding and forming operations are performed by the units I9. These units, as generally indicated in Fig. 4, comprise a folding die I95 and a forming plunger I08. The plunger reciprocates through the die and deposits a folded carton blank Ill into a mold I5 which is therebeneath and in vertical register therewith. The plunger agrees in horizontal cross-section with the shape and dimensions of the field I24 of the blank. The folding die is illustrated in Figs. 11-22, inclusive. Here it will be seen that the frame I8 supports a plate I4II which is in the plane of the floor IN. This plate, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13 of the drawing, is formed with a central opening I4I through it. This opening has a central portion agreeing substantially with the width of the carton as indicated at I42. This portion has upper and outwardly extending curved edges I43 and downwardly extending parallel lengths I44 along one side, and similar portions I43 and I44 on the other side. These prothe members I44 and I44.

vide an initial throat through which the blank is carried by the plunger. The throat engages the side panels'I 2| and I23 of the blank to fold them upwardly. The portions I43 and I44 are of a horizontal length agreeing substantially with the width of the panels I2I and I23 of the blank. At the opposite sides of the portions I44 and I44 are cutaway openings I45 and I46. The opening I46 is defined by straight edges I41 and I48 which are in the same plane and lie along substantially the plane of the panel I24 of the carton when it is folded. The edge portions I41 extend laterally from the opening I4I which occurs between The length of these edges is sufiicient to accommodate the partially folded gusset portions I2'I and I2'I On one side and I28 and I23 on the opposite side. The ends of the opening I45 terminate in edges I49 and I50 which are parallel and at right angles to edges I41 and I48. Connecting with these edges are obliquely disposed edges I5I and I52 which extend inwardly and connect with short parallel faces I53 and I 54 spaced from each other a distance substantially agreeing with and accommodating the width of the field I29. The edges I53 and I54 are connected by a straight edge I55.

As shown in Fig. 13 of the drawing a curved plate $55 extends inwardly and downwardly beneath the plate I45 from a point contiguous to the edge I55 of the opening I45. This plate has a curved portion terminating in a downwardly extending vertical wall I5'I. The opening I46 in the plate I45 is designed to accommodate the wall panel I22 and the gusset panels I25 and I25 on one side and the panel portions I26 and I25 on the opposite side. Since these gussets must be folded over and against the sides I2I and I23 of the carton before the other gussets are folded the opening I48 is formed to accommodate the gussets as they swing. Referring to Fig. 11 it will be seen that the opening I46 is defined by an edge I53 which is parallel to the side face of the plunger I08 designed to engage the panel I22 of the carton blank. Extending oppositely from the edge I53 are oblique edges I59 and IE0 which terminate in edges I8I and I52, respectively. These edges are in the same plane with the edges I49 and I58 of the opening I45. The edges IGI and I52 extend substantially to the median line of the opening I42 where they continue in inwardly inclined edges I63 and I54. Curved edges I and I56 form continuations of these edges, after which the opening is completed by oblique edges I61 and I58. It will thus be seen that the opening I45 may be generally considered as U-shaped and extending along one side of the path of the plunger I58 and partially around the two contiguous sides thereof. These portions accommodate the gusset fields occurring at each side of the side wall I22 and allow these fields to fold and swing inwardly against the sides I2I and I23 of the container blank. Mounted beneath the opening I42 is a plate I59 which curves downwardly and inwardly and terminates in a portion H9 which lies in a vertical plane parallel to that of the vertical portion 557 of the plate I545. The plate I58 carries a pair of folding blades I'll and H2. These blades are shown in Fig. 12 of the drawing as being inclined downwardly and inwardly to terminate in vertical planes substantially agreeing with the vertical planes within which the inner faces of the members I44 and I44 lie. By reference to Fig. 13 of the drawing it will be seen below the lower horizontaledges. ofthe members IMand I44 and'approximatelythree-fourths of I the width of these members. A vertical edge I15 continues from the lower end of edge I14 to intersect the plane of a horizontal edge I 16. This edge extends to the vertical portion -I'I0 of theplate I69. By the combined action of theplate Ifiiiand the gusset folding members HI and I12 the field I 22- of,thegcarton blankqis forced 1in: wardly to a vertical position and the tangs adjoining this field arefolded together. as they-movev down the members "land I 12 and along the inclined edges I14.-

The folding of.-the;gussetfieldsadjoining the field Izilof the carton blank is accomplished by the plate I56 and a pair offolding elements I11 and I18. These elements are-oliquely disposed as shown in Fig-l2 of the drawing and are spaced at opposite sides. of. the: pathof travel of the plunger I08; The elements are substantially rectangular in shapeand extend from .the portion 251 of the plate .I 56. Their upper edges are hori zontal, as indicated atI19 in Fig. 13 of the drawing, This edge is in a horizontallanebetweenthe horizontal planes ofthe lower edgesof members M4 and I 44.,and. the .lower. edges I16 ofthemembers I'IIand I12., The members I11 and.

I18 have a lower horizontal. edge-I80 parallelto the edge I19 and lyingina plane below theplanc of the lower edges I15..of.the.m embers HI and I12. The opposite ends. of themembers from their pointof connection upon the portion,,I51 are free and extend vertically, as indicated at I81. These edges stand=in relatively-close proximity to the inner faceoftheportion I10 of the plate I69 and thus fold the gusset portions,l21f-, and

i21 against the sides of the carton at oneside and the gusset portions I 28 and lzd against the sides of the carton atthe opposite side, The plunger I08 is designed to.. ha ve a stroke. which will cause it to moveentirely down-through the folding and forming die. I06. and into. the molds 15 carried by the sprocket chainlZ, from which point the sprocket chain carries the formed containers to the filling units 20.,

As previously explained, the plungers I08 are caused to reciprocate. through the action of cam M8 on the timing, shaft 93.. This timing shaft extends longitudinally of. the machine and through the gear box 46 where it is journaled,

Within the gear box a worm gear wheel I82 is mounted upon. theshaft 93 and is in mesh with the worm gear 50 by which continuous rotation of, the shaft99 is produced.

It will beseen that the. shaft 93 provides a timing drive for. all of the cams, and that the conveyor chains. for. feedingthe blanks I are given an alternate drive motion through a cam 183. which is mounted upon the shaft 93. This cam receives a roller I84 Vmounted upon the free end of a cam lever I which is. pivoted to a cross. frame member I85, Connected to the lever i85 ,is agear rack] 8 1. This rack reciprocates vertically and engages .a, pinion I 08 which is fixed on theendof thesprocket chain shaft I05 hold the folded gussets.

will insure-that the shaft I05 will be alternately drawn from a magazine and carry it horizontally drical posts I89which are secured to the floor I6.

of. the base portion of the machine. posts I89 have a gear rack I90.cut of one face. Each of the racks I90 receives a gear pinion I9I.. As shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings, these pinionsare mounted upon the opposite ends of a shaft I92 .rotatably supported from the member I09- by bearings I93. By this arrangement the crosshead I 09? which is lifted from its center by the lever arm H5 will be caused to move. vertically while maintained in a horizontally aligned position, This will. .preventthe crosshead from binding on eitheroneof the posts; I89.

It will. be obvious that when the plungers' I08 are retracted from .the containers which have been deposited in the molds 15 there will be a tendency for the gussets to spread. and thus to force the fields I2! and I29 of the blank inwardly. It is necessary to, .hold the gussets and the adjoining walls ina firmlyfolded condition so that they will notinterfere with a subsequentfillingoperation. By reference to Figs. 19, 21, 22 and 23 it will .be seen, thatmeans are provided to In Fig. 23 the molds 15 are shown in detail. Here it will be seen that they comprise a U-shaped structure having a bottom wall I94 andsubstantially parallel side walls I95 and I96 The dimensions of the bottom wall I 94 occurring between the side walls agreesubstantially with they dimensions of the bottom field I20, of the carton. A central Opening I91 is formed through the bottom wall so that the carton can be removed if it becomes fastened between theside walls. The side walls each have an inner face which fiares up- Each of the longitudinally wardlyp and slightly outwardly and terminates in an overhanging shoulder I99 beneath which the folded ussets and the contiguous side walls may pass, since the shoulder is ofa height to accommodate them. Mounted inthe side walls I95 and I96 are finger structures 200 and 201. These. structures, as shown in Figs. .19. and 21, have. a central relatively narrow portion 202 which fits within a slit 203 in theside walls of the molds. Atransverse bore in the side wall of the mold accommodates .a threaded pivot pin 204. As shown in .Fig. 22 of the drawing the section of thefingers 200 and 20I is T-shaped so that the enlarged outer portion, will abut against the outer facesof the side walls I95 and I96 and limit the inwardswinging movement. At the lower ends of the finger structures outwardly flaring extensions. 205 00.0. 7. Compression. springs 20B bear, against .theseextensions and tend to. swing the fingers 200 and 20I inwardly. The upper ends of the fingers are formed with hook-shaped tips .201 which swing to a position in a plane lower than the plane of the shoulders I99 on the sidewalls, Thus theywill hook over the.

11 volve novel means for measuring quantities of semi-solid material and for discharging it in predetermined measured quantities to a container. The structure is simple and may be made easily from stainless steel so that the parts may be quickly removed, separated and sterilized when required. Each of the measuring units comprises an outer cylindrical shell 2138. This shell is secured to a horizontal floor plate 299 which is disposed above the path of travel of the conveyor chain 22 and is parallel to the top wall 1'1 of the base structure. The shell 298 is formed with a bottom wall 219. Valve ports 21 l and 212 are formed through the bottom wall 210 and the plate 209. These ports are spaced equally from the center of the shell upon diametrically opposite sides thereof and with their central axes in the same plane as the vertical center of the shell. This plane is normal to the path of travel of the conveyor chain 22. The center line of the valve port 212 is in vertical alignment with the center of the run of conveyor chain which passes beneath the plate 209. The upper end of the cylindrical shell 208 is open and receives a measuring valve 213. This valve is formed with a plurality of measuring cylinders 214 and 215. The measuring cylinders extend parallel to each other and to the central axis of the cylindrical shell 208 and are designed to register with the valve ports 211 and 212. Mounted to reciprocate in each of the cylinders 214 and 215 are pistons 215, each of which carry a plunger rod 212! at its upper end. These plunger rods each extend through a packing gland 213. The lower ends of the cylinders 214 and 215 are of the same diameter as the ports 211 and 212. Thus when the lower opened ends of the cylinders register with the valve ports 211 and 212 a clear and unobstructed passageway will be formed. Secured beneath the valve port 211 is a manifold conduit 219 which extends horizontally and is formed with a plurality of lateral connections 220, one of which is in direct communication with each of the valve ports 211. As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing the conduit 219 is of larger cross-section than the connections 22%. A feed pipe 221 connects with the manifold, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and this in turn leads to a source of ice cream supply from which ice cream is delivered under pressure in a semi-fluid state to the machine. The opposite ends of the manifold are provided with removable plugs 222 which permit free access to the manifold so that the interior thereof may be cleaned and scalded when desired. Disposed beneath the valve port 212 is a nozzle 223. This nozzle has a discharge end of reduced diameter so that the ice cream forced from a measuring cylinder will be discharged into a carton disposed therebeneath. Mounted upon the upper end of each of the measuring valves 213 is a gear 224. This gear extends around the perimeter of the portion of the valve which projects above the cylindrical shell 2138. Each of the gears 224 is in mesh with a pinion 225. The pinions are mounted upon a series of vertical shafts 226. These shafts extend downwardly into the base structure of the machine and are rotatably supported by bearings 22'! and 228. Secured upon each of the shafts 225 at a point within the base structure is a pinion 229. These pinions, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, are spaced an equal distance apart so that intermediate pinions 230 may be in mesh with the pinions 229 on each side thereof.

This provides a gear train which will cause all of the pinions 229 to rotate in the same direction when driven from one of the gears. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the intermediate pinion 239 is in mesh with a large driving gear 231. This gear is carried on shaft 53 upon which the Geneva gear 52 has previously been described as being rotated. The gear ratio is such as to insure that at each movement of the Geneva gear 52 the gear train, comprising gears 229 and 230, will rotate one-half a revolution. This in turn will alternately dispose the measuring cylinders 214 and 215 into register with the valve port 212 and the discharge nozzle 223 while the other cylinder will be in register with the manifold conduit 219.

In order to eject ice cream from the cylinder 214 or 215 which is in register with the valve port 212 a rocker arm 232 is provided for each of the dispensing units. These rocker arms are mounted upon standards 233. The standards 233 are secured to the base and extend upwardly therefrom to carry a rocker arm shaft 234. In Fig. 5 of the drawing it will be seen that an actuating arm 235 is fixed on the shaft 234 and is pivotally connected at 236 with a pitman rod 231'. The lower end of this rod is connected to a fitting 238 by a pivot pin 239. This fitting has a threaded bore in its lower end to receive the upper threaded end 241! of a lift rod 241. The lift rod is provided with an adjusting nut 242 which makes it possible to vary the effective length of the lift rod and to thus control the length of travel of the pistons 216. The lift rod 241 is reciprocably mounted in bearings 243 and 244 so that the rod may move vertically. A fitting 245 is secured upon the lift rod 2M and is connected to a link M6 by a pivot 24?. The upper end of the link 243 is provided with a pivot pin 248 which connects with one arm of a bell crank 249. The bell crank is mounted on brackets 25:) within the base structure upon a pivot shaft 251. The opposite arm of the bell crank extends downwardly and carries a cam roller 252 which rests against the surface contour of a cam 253. This cam is fixed on the timing shaft as.

It is to be pointed out that the run of conveyor chain which passes beneath the discharge spouts 123 are led between a pair of spaced side rails 254 and 255. These temporarily close the opposite sides of the molds '15 and in effect provide a rectangular container within which the carton is confined while traveling beneath the filling units 29. The conveyor chain 22 passes along a pair of spaced guide rails 256 and 2511. A portion of the chain and brace plates 258 travel along a path beneath said guide rails.

After the cartons have been filled they are carried by the conveyor chain to the closing units 21. These units are disposed along the return run of the chain 22. The closing units are distributed in spaced relation along a pair of guide plates 259 and 268 between which the molds '15 are drawn. At each of the closing unit stations there is a folding member 251 and a final closing mechanism 282. The folding member and its operating means are indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawing as dissociated from the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism is indicated in Fig. '7 of the drawing with the folding member removed for the sake of clarity. As shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing the folding member comprises a lever arm 2B3 pivotally mounted upon a pin 264 carried by the guide plate 250. Disposed at right angles to the arm 253 is a plate 265 which is so positioned as" to -assume' a'horizontai position di rectly' over'the top of a carton within a mold' l5l This member therefore folds the'field' I29 down-- wardly over the contents of the cartonand allows I the end tang I 29' to fold upwardlyat right:

angles thereto.- Formed at the end. of the plate 265 is a plate 266 which engages and folds the tang I29 and agrees indimensions withthe-top field I30 {ofthe blank; Thefolding members 26I are-operated bya leverarm ZGTwhich is fixed to the-pivot shaft 264 and is designed-to swing upwardly. At the outer end ofeach of-the lever arms 26'!" is-a pivot pin '2I58 which engages a yok'e 239.- The upper end of-this-yokecarries a rod 210" upon which a sprin '21! is mounted and is held" by a nut 272. Therod 2T3extends through an opening in a lever arm 213. This arm is carried on a horizontal pivot shaft- 214 mounted in standards 2155 A forked portion 216 is formed on the opposite end of the lever 213 and receivespins 21-7. The pins 21'! are carried upon an operating rod 218: which reoiprocates vertically and is mounted within-bearings-Z'IS and 280 within' the base structure;- the lift'rod is an arm"28I-"carrying a cam roller 282-upon a shaft 283. The cam'rolle'r' 282- is disposed beneath and engages the surface of a cam 283which is mounted upon the timing-shaft 931 A compression -spring-"ZBS 'is-disposed between thebearing 280 and the arm 28I and acts Secured upon to urge-the operating rod 213'upwardly. The

closing mechanism 262 comprises a swinging plate 28E mounted upon a pivot pin :ZBT at the upper edge ofthe guide-plate 2591 This-plate carries an arcuate pin288-which extends through an opening 2B9' in a plate 293 whichcarries -side flap folding: members-"29f; The plate 29!! is mounted to pivotfreely upon pivot shaft=2 81-4 A spring 292' is mounted-upon the pin 2 88 and rests against the outer face-ofthe plate 290- so -that when .the platen-286"- swings toward" an operative position it will draw the plate 290' and the side members ZBI- with it, allowing them however to be' urged yieldably 'bythe spring 288; The side flap folding members 29! are spaced-a distance apart-agreeing with the-width of the carton so that the flap portions :13 Iancl I32 of the blank will be folded in at right angles-tothe plane of thefieldl I33. The-plate 2831s fastened to the shaftzfi'l; .This shaft also carries a lever arm' 293 which is fixed-to the shaft 28'l to produce rotation'thereof. An overhead arm 294" -is secured tothe end of the lever 293 b a pivot pin 295: This arm is bent so-that in: its normal posi tion the main body of the arm "will extend horizontally above the container and provide suitable clearance. Thearmr29'4 extendsthrough a slot-' ted opening 296Z'in an oscillating lever 2971- A pin. 293" on thearm 294=extendslatera1ly from the. armand engages a vface on the oscillating leverv29'! wherebyth'e arm is moved forwardly; A tension spring 299 engages the-free end of the oscillating lever 297. at one-end and engages a pin 33B on-the arm 294-atvits opposite endo This acts to hold thearm-s 2 94 and the lever 29:! in yieldable engagement." The-oscillating-lever 291 is mounted upon a pivot shaft 331 Thelshaft 301' is carriedson bearingqbrackets 332.; This shaft also carries a forkedarm 303 which engages lateralzpins 334 in a lift shaft'335: The liftBshaft 335 is mounted in bearings 303 and 3M. and verti-,

cally reciprooates. An, arm 33B "is rigidly secured tothe 'shaiti3ll5 tand 'carriesa cam -rol1'er339. This roller-engages a cam 3110 mountedupon the;

timing Shaft 93.1.:

Referring .torFig. a voath-edraining;a mechanism I is provided for ejecting the-filledrand closed' cara-r tons :-from. the molds 15.'--'.The" ejecting mechanism comprises "a horizontal shaft 3Il which is;

mountedv-in the framestructureuIB supported upon the :topwall of the suhframe by the standards 19; It lwill'be recognized that the frame 18' is the same iframe'whioh supports the magazine for: the'blan'ks l 0 and the feedmechanism :there- 3 I 2: one of which registers withamold '15 during the :periodwhenthe'-molds. :stand 'stationarya: Thesez fingers 1 have a horizontals-portion which partially overhangs the molds and inclined ends which extend beyon-dthe innersideofethe molds; The inclined-' ends'terminate'ina hook 3I3: The fingers s I2 aremounted-t0 sweep across the molds between the side ,walls 26 and 2'! and to: dislodge the filled :container from its seated'positionw The shaft v3 I I carriesanOperating lever 3 I 4 to 3' which a link 3I5 is attached by a pivot-pin 3I6. The opposite en'd' of the link is provided with a pin 3I:I- by whi'ch-it is attached to a leverarm :318;v The leverarm'-3I8 is mounted uponthe shaft; 3 I 9 carried upon standards- 32 0: The standards rest upon-the top I'I'of the basestructure. Se"- cured upon the shaftf-3I9 is a forked arm "32I V which straddles:thelift bar 322t The lift'bar 322 reciprocates vertically in: bearings 323 and I 324 Nearthe upperendofth'e bar are pivot pins 325 which-engage the fork in the-member- 32'I'. An arm'3261'T is fixed to the lift bar-322'and carries'a cam roller :32! which rests upon thel peri pheral-edge of a cam"328l' Theacamis mounted upon the timingshaf-t 93. 4

In order 1 to interrupt the i driving action from the: motoiw 29 to the various driving shafts a clutch. 323' is providedr This clutch "is "fitted with a shifting' arm 330 which can I be" operated from the front-of the machine;

In some instances the drive belt 31 may stretch so-'-thatit must be tightened. This' is accom plished :by rotating a hand' 'crank 33I- which is mounted-upon a shaft '332." The "shaft extends vertically within the base structure andis-sup-' ported-upon bearings 333. A' bevel gear 334 'is carried atrthelower end-of the shaft 332'.' This gearis-in mesh with a gear=-335carried upon a threaded shaft 336. B'y r0tation of thethreaded shaft 335 the motor 29 inay bash-ifted horizontallyupon its bed plate 331;

In operation ofthe present invention the motor 2 9'isstarted. Thisdrives the motor shaft 3| which 'in turn drivesthe-vacuum pump 36- through the pulleys 32 and 35andthe belt-34. At the same-time the pulley 33 is rotated. This drives the belt 31 leading around a pulley 38 on the s'haft39. In the-event'the clutch -323'is set the shaft' willimpartrotation to thepulley" 4|.

I This will drive the-pulley 43 by means of a belt 42. v5 Since thepulley 43 is mounted upon'a transversely extending'sh-ait-M it will drive the worm gear 53. This will simultaneously drive the worm wheel 49 which-lies in a horizontal plane-and thexworm wheel I82 which lies in a vertical plane.

The worm wheel 49- ismounted upon a vertical shaft 48 and the wonmwheel I82 is-mounted upon-- the timing. shaft 93. When-the vertical shaft248i is drivenit will impart rotation to thespur gear 54 which is in' mesh with thespur gear 55.n1ounted upon the shaft'562'l- As the spur gear 55%.rotatesait will'rimpart a combined: oscillating and reciprocating 'motion to'the:-,gear= rack 58.

This in turnlwili drive :thgeanpinion. *fifl'upon the":vertical:lconveyorlspnocket-sshaft '26. As' thefOIw Thewsh'aft; 3 I1 carries a -.plu'ra1ityof fingers" rack reciprocates the member 6I will rotate so that the pawl 64 on the disc 63 will engage the notch 62 and thus impart a partial rotation to the shaft 26. This only takes place when the member 61 is out of engagement with the notch 66 formed on the circumferential edge of the member 63. This disengagement occurs when the pin H on the gear 55 encounters the portion 10 of the bell crank lever 68. When rotation is imparted to the shaft 26 the sprocket 24 will rotate and drive the conveyor chain 22 as well as the idler sprocket 23 at the opposite end of the base structure II. The gear ratio is so designed as to insure that the chain will move the distance represented by the spacing of four of the molds 15 so that they will simultaneously register at the blank feeding station I8, the forming and folding station I9, the measuring and filling station 20, the final closing station 2 I, the discharge station which occurs beneath the blank feed station I8.

Assuming that a set of empty molds I5 is in in its initial position beneath the various units of the blank feeding station I8 the blank feeding operation is as follows: The timing shaft 93 rotates the cam 96. This initially causes the lift rod 99 to move downwardly with the result that the arms 84 carrying the vacuum cups 63 will swing upwardly and contact the lowermost carton blank I in each of the magazines comprising uprights 19. At this time the shaft 93 will operate the cam 92 to move the plunger 89 downwardly in the cylinder 88, as shown in Fig. 9. This will cause a suction impulse to be created within the tube 81 so that a vacuum will be drawn in each of the vacuum cups 83. In synchronism with this action the cam96 will lift the member 99 and will swing the arms 84 downwardly so that each of the suction cups 83 will pull the lowermost carton blank I0 from the magazine and place it in a horizontal plane where it may be engaged by the lug I03 of each of the feed chains I03. The chain I03 will then feed the carton blank horizontally and in the direction of the arrow a, as indicated in Fig. 10. The feeding operation of the chain is brought about by the cam I83 upon the timing shaft 93 which moves the cam roller I84 and the member I85. This causes the gear rack I81 to reciprocate vertically and rotate the pinion I88 which is carried upon the sprocket shaft I05. The alternate vertical reciprocation of the rack I81 will thus cause the upper run of the feed chain I03 to move forwardly and to thereafter move in a retracting direction.

When the feed chain moves forwardly it will shift the carton blanks I0 to a horizontal position resting upon the top plate or table I01 and properly centered over the folding dies I06, as

indicated in Fig. 15 of the drawing. It will be understood that the blanks were fed forwardly between the guide members of frame 18 and are thus held against lateral shifting action. When the blank is disposed over the folding die its fields I 24 and I29 and the adjoining gusset portions will be over opening I45 and the fields of the blank I22 and I30 and the adjoining gusset portions will be over the opening I46. At this time the plungers I08 move downwardly in the direction of the arrow 7), as indicated in Fig. 4. The downward movement of the plungers is controlled by the cam II8 upon the timing shaft 93. As the cam swings downwardly the lever arm H will swing downwardly in the direction of the arrow 0. This will allow the cross-frame mem- 16 her I09 to move downwardly, and since it carries the standards I09 the plungers I08 will simultaneously move down to engage the carton blank I0 and to carry it through the die I06 upon which it rested. In this operation the end of the plunger I08 will engage the field I20 of the blank, forcing it down between the members I44 and I44. As this takes place the fields I2I and I23 will fold up against the sides of the plunger I08 and the corner gusset sections will tend to fold at the opposite ends of the openings I45 and I46, as shown in Fig. 16.

As the plunger I08 continues to move downwardly, as indicated in Fig. 17, it will be seen that the field I30 will engage the curved member I69 and that the field I24 will engage the curved member I56. This will tend to force these fields in against the opposite sides of the plunger I08. As this takes place the gusset portions I25 and I25 will tend to fold over the field I23. The diagonal lines of the folds will then engage the inclined faces I14 of the folding blades HI and I12, after which the diagonal fold edges of the gusset portions I28 and I28 at one side of the field I24 and I21 and I21 at the opposite side of the field I24 will fold over the previously folded gussets as the last named gussets engage the folding blades I11 and I18. This will cause a complete rectangular carton to be formed and folded as the carton continues downwardly, as indicated in Fig. 18 of the drawing.

The plungers I09 then carry the folded blanks into the molds 15 which are in register at the folding and forming stations. As the plungers I08 move downwardly between the sides of the molds 15 they will encounter the inclined faces of the fingers 20I and 202 shown in Fig. 23 of the drawing. These fingers will thus swing outwardly in the direction of the arrows d so that the bottom panel I20 of the carton will rest upon the member I94. Thus the upper edges of the gusset portions of the carton and the side walls I2! and I23 will tend to move out wardly beneath the shoulders I29 on the side walls, and when the plungers I08 are withdrawn the ends 201 of the fingers 202 will swing inwardly and hook over the folded edges of the carton, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 22. Here it will be seen that the carton fields I22 and I24 will be at opposite ends of the molds 15, and that the intervening wall sections shown in this figure of the drawing comprise field I2I which is innermost and against which gusset section I25 rests. The gusset section I25 is folded over gusset section l25 and gusset section I28 is folded against gusset section I25". The gusset portion I28 is folded over the portion I28. A pocket will be formed therefore between the gusset sections I20 and I28 The ends of the fingers 202 will hold the folded side walls in this position while the cartons are carried in the molds and placed beneath and in register with the set of discharge nozzles I23. It will be assumed that at this time the measuring cylinders 2I5 will be filled and will be in register with the folded and formed cartons. The piston 2I6 therein will be in its uppermost position and will hold the plunger rods 2II at the top of their strokes so that they may be engaged by the free ends of the levers 232. These levers are forced downwardly in the direction of the arrow 6, as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawing, and will force the ice cream from the cylinder 2I5 and into the carton therebeneath. This operation is brought about by movement of the cam 253 as it causes the lift rods 24! to be raised and lowered. In order to obtain exact quantities of material within the cartons the effective length of the rod 2 3! may be varied by adjusting it within the threaded fitting 238. It is to be understood that while the cylinders 2H5 are being emptied by the downward swinging movement of the levers 232 the cylinders 2 id are being filled by the semi-solid material delivered to the manifold 21s. This material will be forced upwardly into the cylinder 2M- and will lift the piston therein until the space within the cylinder and beneath the piston has been filled. The position of the cylinders 2M and 215 will be interchanged during the period between the movement of the conveyor chain 22 to position a set of molds i at the various operating stations. The interchange of position of the cylinders Tilt and 2E5 is brought about by an intermittent drive structure comprising Geneva gear elements ti! and 52. The element 5i is a disc mounted upon the shaft mounted upon the shaft d3, thus an intermittent driving motion of the shaft 53 takes place in timed sequence with the operation of the timing shaft 93. As the shaft 53 rotates it will drive the gear 235 which in turn will drive the gear 2%. The gear 236 will drive the gears 22d and the shaft 226 upon which they are mounted. The shafts 226 drive the gears 225, and since these gears are in mesh with the gears 2% carried by the measuring valves 2I3 these cylinders will rotate intermittently within the cylindrical shells 298. When the set of cartons has been filled at the measuring and dispensing station the drive chain 22 is again driven to bring the filled cartons to the closing station, as generally indicated at 2!.

When the carton has reached the closing station the flaps H9 and I30 of the carton will be standing vertically. It is necessary to first fold the flap I29 down over the filled carton. This is done as shown in Fig. 6 by the operation of the cam 284 which lifts the bar 273 and acts to swing the lever 26? upwardly while causing the folding structure 26! to swing downwardly over the top of the container. As this takes place the end tang I29 will be folded against the inner face of the field I30 of the carton blank as shown in Fig. 25. Operating in synchronism with the folding unit 26I is the final closing unit 2 32. This begins to fold over the top of the container as the folding unit 2M swings away from its folding position, as shown in Fig. 26 of the drawing. The members 286 and 293 will swing over the top of the container and, will fold the top field I30 down in a position to cover the field I29. At this time the side members 29! will swing down to hold the side tangs l3! and E32 fiat and in a vertical plane. These tangs will enter the pockets formed between the folds of the gusset portions i28 and lim on one side of the carton and i2? and lZ'I on the opposite side of the carton. As the tangs I33 and 53 3 are inserted into the pockets formed by the gussets they will be forced downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2'7, until the locking tangs E35 and i326 find the locking slits I31 and l38 at the fold of the gusset portions. These locking tangs will thus be forced through these slits to a locking position and will act to hold the folded side walls shown in Fig. 22 so that they will not spread and will not allow liquid or other extraneous material from finding its way inwardly between the 58 the element 52 is a Geneva cam folds to contaminate the contents of the package.

when the conveyor chain 22 is next actuated it will place the nnally filled and closed containers in register with the members I32 disposed beneath the carton blank magazines. In this position the cam 328 will act to lift the rod 322. This in turn will cause the lever 314 to swing and will cause the e ector fingers 3H2 to swing in the direction of the arrow 1. As these lingers sweep across the molds and between their upright sides the filled and closed cartons will be pushed from thefmolds l5 and may be carried away in suitable containers to be placed in a freezing compartment.

It will thus be seen that the machine here disclosed provides suitable and efficient means for forming, filling and closing cartons containing a food product in a manner to insure that the product will not at any time be touched with human hands, and that the structure may be maintained in a sanitary condition in conformity with the health laws of any community.

While I- have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes may be made in combination, construction and arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pacsaging machine, means for closing a carton having vertical side walls including folded gussets, certain of which form pockets, and intermediate side walls at least one of which carry cover members for closing the top of said container, one of said cover members having side flaps to be introduced into the gusset pockets, which closing means includes a mold into which the carton is seated, inner cover folding means disposed at one side of said mold and adapted to fold an inner cover over the mouth of a carton, outer cover folding means disposed upon the opposite side of the mold and adapted to fold the outer cover over the inner cover, said outer cover carrying the side flaps, means carried by the outer cover folding means to fold the side iiaps parallel to each other and at right angles to the cover portion whereby the side flaps will be inserted into the gusset pockets as the carton is closed, and synchronous driving means for the two folding means whereby they will operate in succession to close the top of the carton.

2. The structure of claim 1 including yieldable means permitting the side flap folding means to stand stationary while the outer cover folding member continues to move to the end of its folding stroke.

3. In a packaging machine, means for closing a carton which has vertical side walls, including folded gussets at opposite sides thereof, the outermost of said gussets forming pockets and intermediate side walls, each of which carries cover means for overlapping each other and closing the top of said container, one of said cover mem-- bers having side flaps tobe introduced into the gusset pockets, which closing means includes: a mold into which the carton is seated with the intermediate side walls at opposite sides of the mold, inner cover folding means disposed at the side of the mold upon which the associated intermediate side wall is positioned, said means adapted to fold the inner cover over the mouth of the carton, outer cover folding means disposed upon the opposite side of the mold and 2,500,922 1Q 2G adaptedto fold the outer cover over the inner REFERENQES CITED cover, said outer cover carrying the side flaps, means carried by the outer cover folding means to fold the side flaps parallel to each other as The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

the outer cover is folded over the mouth of the 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS carton and to introduce said side flaps into the Numbm. Name Date gusset pockets'as the carton is closed, and syn- 720 492 sedberry Feb 10 1903 chronous driving means acting to move the first 1263107 Frehrs Jun-e 4 '1913 folding means to its folded posit n and t0 {954 122 Johnson- June 26 1934 tract said means as the second folding means 10 212411942 Berch May 13: 1941 moves to folded posltwn- 2,281,295 Nicodemus et a1. Apr. 28, 1942 SAMUEL H. BEECH. 

